This petition draws to the attention of the Senate the critical predicament of the Palestinian People in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip under Israeli military occupation since 1967 and of the Palestinian citizens of Israel suffering ethnic discrimination since 1948.

Since 1948 hundreds of UN resolutions have condemned Israel’s discriminatory policies as illegal; notwithstanding, Israel continues violating international law and human rights, expanding its colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, displacing Palestinian families, and persisting in apartheid and oppressive actions, policies and legislation towards Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, and towards its Palestinian citizens.

As a response to the failure of all forms of international intervention and peace-making to change Israel’s policies, in 2005 the Palestinian Civil Society called upon the world to impose on Israel diverse initiatives of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) until Israel meets its obligation to end all forms of occupation and colonisation; dismantles the illegal ‘Separation Wall’ in the West Bank; ceases the siege on the Gaza Strip; implements full equality for its Palestinian citizens; and honours the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties.

In December 2013 the European Union issued a directive requiring withdrawal of cooperation and support for Israeli institutions and companies based or operating on the occupied West Bank. Trade Unions and academic organisations (students and teachers) from Norway, Spain, UK, South Africa, Egypt, Brazil, US, France, Australia, and India have abided by the BDS Call. Prominent figures such as Professor Stephen Hawking and artists such as Elvis Costello, Gil Scott-Heron, Carlos Santana, Roger Waters, Bono, U2, Bjork, Jean-Luc Godard, Snoop Dogg, and Vanessa Paradis – have abstained from visiting and performing in Israel. Intellectuals and authors such as Naomi Klein, Judith Butler, Henning Mankell, Alice Walker, John Berger and Iain Banks among others have publicly endorsed the BDS Call.

We therefore ask the Senate to instruct the Government, by legislation, to fully and consistentlyhonour its obligations under international law by excluding relations, through boycott, divestment and sanctions, with states,institutionsand companies – Australian, Israeli or other –that are involved in the perpetuation of apartheid and discriminatory Israeli policies including the military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.